Anderson's Braziliant!

FRESH from outshining Steven Gerrard for a second time in one season, Anderson is now embracing the daunting task of filling Kaka's sizeable boots at international level. The diminutive Brazilian midfielder has been the discovery of the season for United, and his call up to replace the injured World and European footballer of the year is just his latest achievement in a remarkable first year at Old Trafford.

FRESH from outshining Steven Gerrard for a second time in one season, Anderson is now embracing the daunting task of filling Kaka's sizeable boots at international level.

The diminutive Brazilian midfielder has been the discovery of the season for United, and his call up to replace the injured World and European footballer of the year is just his latest achievement in a remarkable first year at Old Trafford.

And while the 19-year-old's assuredness beyond his years has forced him ahead of the likes of Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick in the thoughts of Sir Alex Ferguson, his likely role as playmaker for Brazil's clash with Sweden at the Emirates tonight could give a tantalising glimpse of his future at United.

Against Liverpool, too, Anderson was afforded more freedom than at most times this season as Ferguson's faith in the player grows with every match.

Little wonder.

Last week, the United manager spoke of Anderson's ability rise to the occasion in even the biggest of matches - and he proved the Scot's point in the most emphatic of fashions with a commanding display in the 3-0 dismantling of Liverpool.

Even before Javier Mascherano's buffoonery, Anderson, Paul Scholes and Carrick passed and probed their way around the Merseysiders' experienced midfield trio that included the Argentine, Gerrard and Xabi Alonso.

The former Porto player's role as the most attacking part of United's triumvirate only strengthened a growing belief that he is Scholes's natural successor, and why Brazil manager Dunga considers him a worthy replacement for Kaka.

"I had more freedom and played as a number 10 against Liverpool," said Anderson. "I feel very at ease playing this way and I hope that I can repeat the performances I have had at my club when I play for Brazil."

While it is Anderson's potential as a playmaker that will excite Ferguson, it is his deceptive strength that has enabled him to make such an impact so soon in the Premier League.

Perhaps Kleberson's struggle to adapt to the ferocity of English football led Ferguson to believe his £18m summer recruit would have to be eased into life on these shores, but he has taken to it with aplomb.

Like Cesc Fabregas at Arsenal, he has proved ability to be a greater weapon than stature, while forcing his manager - like Arsene Wenger - into a fundamental rethink into the makeup of his teams.

Building his success at United around midfield generals such as Bryan Robson, Paul Ince and Roy Keane, Ferguson gave a telling insight of what he now considers his strongest engine room against Liverpool with the more subtle talents of Anderson, Scholes and Carrick.

None of those players possess the swashbuckling attributes of a Keane, but they were nonetheless imperious against Rafa Benitez's side.

Wenger, too, now favours the less imposing Fabregas and Matthieu Flamini to the powerhouses of Patrick Vieira and Gilberto. And the pivotal roles Anderson and Fabregas have played in the success of United and Arsenal this season, suggest they represent the dawn of a new generation of midfield generals.

Pressure

For Ferguson, in particular, the discovery of the Brazilian appears to have alleviated the pressure of finding a new Keane.

But whether a successor to Scholes or Keane, Anderson is just grateful to have made his mark so soon.

"I just want to play in as many games as possible," he said. "Even if I have to play in goal, I'll do it.

"I've enjoyed every match I've been involved in this season and the different positions I've taken up.

"In the long term, I'm sure the manager will play me wherever he feels I will be most effective."

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Anderson's emergence this season has been the way he has stood up to Gerrard and Fabregas, who are arguably the pre-eminent midfielders in the Premier League.

His performance in the 2-2 draw at the Emirates was a highlight as were his equally commanding displays at Anfield in December and against Liverpool on Sunday.

And the attitude with which he approaches meetings with the game's biggest players, goes some way to explaining his success.

"When I'm up against an opponent, such as Gerrard, I don't look at it as I'm just playing against him," he said.

"I'm playing against the whole team. My mentality is never to look at specific individuals."

It is fitting that Anderson should replace Kaka for Brazil with Ferguson admitting that the teenager was sold to him as the "best player in the world" when he was weighing up a move in the summer.

So desperate was he to fend off competition for the player, he was prepared to open negotiations even while Anderson recovered from a serious broken leg.

But he remains some way off being the finished article - not least because of his ability in front of goal.

He has still to score for United in 32 appearances, and his finishing against Liverpool suggested he could be in for a wait before he opens his account. He hopes that when the goals do come, they will lead United to success.

"I'm literally praying for goals," he admitted. "I'm hopeful that when I start scoring, I will score in some important games.

"It's a beautiful thing to be involved in a finale to a season such as this. We are in a good position in the Premier League and the Champions League and we are focused on winning both."